BEGINNING TAI CHI
School of Health Professions, Health Promotion
PES 100 – Tai Chi
Recreation Center - WGYM
First 8 week course, January 14th – March 7th - Tuesday/ Thursday 8:00AM- 9:30 AM
Second 8 week course, March 9th – May 9th - Tuesday/Thursday 8:00AM – 9:30AM
Spring 2008
3 clock hours per week for 8 weeks- 1 credit
Patrick Martin
Office hours: by appointment
E-mail: Patrick.L.Martin@nau.edu
Class Website: www.nau.edu/taichi
Course Prerequisites
Curious mind.
Course Description
The art of Tai Chi is the practice of letting go of our resistance to change through
dynamic relaxation, energy cultivation, conservation and self-defense. In this course you
will be guided into the intrinsic rhythms of human chi (bio electric energy).
You will learn:
 To reduce mental and physical stress
 To become aware of and cultivate internal energy (chi)
 To consciously direct the flow of chi within your physical body.
 To connect your mind, body in a meditative manner.
You will be practicing a selection of basic postures which will create a foundation for
“the form” which is a series of martial art movements. The form you will learn is the
original Chen style. All other styles of Tai Chi are derived from the Chen style.
You will also learn:
 To release deeper tension by unwinding your body
 To open certain energy pathways as you move through the forms
 To sink your chi and sense your root
 The Chen style essential 18 posture martial art
Course Objectives
The successful completion of this course will result in students being able to:
 Understand basic principles of Tai Chi
 Exhibit an understanding of beginning Tai Chi forms through practice
 Complete the essential 18 postures of the Chen style Tai Chi.
Course structure/approach:
The course is presented through practice of Tai Chi. Expect to workout in this class.
Course materials: None
Requirements:
Please come dressed each day in comfortable clothing that will not restrict your
movement. You may wear athletic shoes, or work out in bare feet. (Please no socks)
It is highly recommended that you eat light and refrain from caffeine before practice.
It is also highly recommended that you bring a bottle of water with you to each class.
Evaluation methods and deadlines
Assessment of Outcomes
Regular attendance and full participation is expected, and determines 50% of your
semester grade. If you sustain a physical injury which prevents your full participation,
you must bring written documentation from a physician indicating the nature of your
injury and the duration of your limited activity. All reasonable accommodation will be
made for those who present such documentation.
There will be two quizzes, and a final exam.
Quiz #1 - week 3- Three key elements
Quiz #2 - week 5- Four principles of relaxation
Final – handed out in week 6 and due on the first day of the last week of class.
The final exam will be a one page essay on your tai chi experience. This will be a take
home exam and will not be returned to you. At the successful completion of this course,
the student will receive a certificate of completion.
Deadlines:
Deadlines are stated above on the syllabus.
Learning Portfolio:
Any written portion of this course as well as the certificate of completion may be
considered appropriate for inclusion in the student's Learning Portfolio.
Assignments:
Assignments for practice between classes are made during each session.
Examinations:
Grading system:
See above.
Class participation 50%
Quizzes 20% (10% each)
Final 30%
You must have at least 75% total to pass this course
Course policy:
Retests/makeup tests
Quizzes are done in class. Late quizzes and exams will be accepted only at the discretion
of your instructor.
Attendance
Due to the short duration of this course only two absences are allowed without penalty.
Any more than two will need to be made up through either another tai chi class, or a class
that is considered acceptable by the instructor.
Late Arrivals
If you must be late, please be considerate of others by opening and closing doors quietly.
Five late arrivals will be counted as an absence.
Statement on plagiarism and cheating
Under no circumstance should a student plagiarize, cheat or use the work of another as
his or her own. Written work found to contain the work of others will result in project
failure and being requested to leave the class and course.
PES payment instructions
Payment of $59.00 per one credit hour must be paid by Friday Sept. 7, 2007 (only checks,
money orders and Visa/Mastercard accepted). You will need to come to the PES office
located in the Rolle Activity Center, bldg. #68 101B (behind the computer lab) to
pay for this class.
Students who do not pay the deadline will be allowed a short extension an additional
$10.00 late fee. Students, who do not pay by the end of the extension, will be dropped
for non-payment and will not be added back into the class.
This charge is for all students, credit and non-credit. Scholarships and financial aid will
not pay for this departmental charge. For more information, call 523-8277 or email at
cepes-p@jan.ucc.nau.edu .